It’s Not Real But It Looks it.

The popular paintball or better said Air Soft enthusiasts use replica firearms, which are very convincing… sometimes too convincing.

In fact, because they are indistinguishable from their real counterparts, their use or even transport in public is restricted.

About a week ago in Torre de Benagalbón, the Policía Local received a call about a group of about 20 people, dressed in military uniforms (camouflage) including bullet-proof vests and carrying assault rifles.

Several police units were despatched which located the group. The police confiscated five assault-rifle replicas, which until closely inspected were indistinguishable from the real thing.

Although the group belonged to an Air Soft club and the weapons were inoffensive, these five replicas were confiscated because the people who were carrying them did not have the correct licence to do so (yes, you need one) nor did they have document that proved that there were the rightful owners.

So, the moral of the story is that if you are thinking of buying somebody one or even one for yourself, be aware that you require a licence even though it is not firearm and you cannot just sling it over your should and walk about with it.

Some time back a woman caused alarm in a shopping-centre car park when she opened the boot of her car revealing what appeared to be a Kalashnikov AK-47 – it was only an Air Soft replica arm, which she was bring back because it didn’t work…. Somebody parked next to her phoned the police… and the rest you can guess.